I'll be the first to admit it - I've panicked at the signing table.

Consequently, investors may find themselves in a situation where bringing cash to the closing table during the refinance is necessary, which might not be feasible.

Those transactions don't show up in the reports.They are doing Subject To "table closings" in the home, with older and distressed homeowners not using escrow or they are getting a cooperative escrow company to not record even though title has changed.

If not, sadly, the allure of low rates and no points is taken off the borrower's table, but so are the licensed LO's that have little to no experience in DSCR.

Lesson: don't do illegal things like rent out units that aren't up to code  - some people with paid off properties try to be cheap and do things like this or do under the table rent so they don't report rental income to the IRS.

If there were some things that were done to show your intent to hold for productive use then the 1031 might still be on the table. 

For example, in 2024 if married filing jointly see table below.You could also do a 1031 exchange to avoid the taxes completely but have to invest all money into a like kind property of higher value. 

If you sign a buyers agreement on the purchasing side or a listing agreement on the selling side, it is a legally binding document and the agent has a fiduciary responsibility to work in your best interests just like you have a legal responsibility to make sure the agent gets paid at the closing table. 

I come from a data science background, so I'm accustomed to creating models to derive the incremental ROI of each variable.I hear some people saying "get the $10,000 hot tub", and I get that, especially if it's a "table stake" that your property needs just to be considered by guests.However, when thinking about less standard amenities, like putting greens, gaming rooms, billiard tables, pool toys, etc. what tools or methods do y'all use to evaluate if a given idea will deliver a positive ROI?

While I do believe it is important to have mentors (I, myself, am looking for one), it is important to not undervalue what you bring to the table.